Lonely Road — Lonely City
Do you know where is Aceh? It is in the westest province In Indonesia. And do you know what is Banda Aceh? It is the capital city in Aceh.
Banda Aceh has been becoming a metropolitan city within years. Where in 2004 there was a big disaster called Tsunami; perhaps everybody may think Banda Aceh had turned to be a dead city since there were so many people died caused of the disaster. Yet, in five years later after Tsunami, many people came to this city to take a look by themselves on how one of the biggest disaster which ever happened in the world ruined and sinked it down Banda Aceh in minutes.
Personally for me as the one who was born in Banda Aceh; I thought my city has overed. I thought no ones would live in my town anymore due to Tsunami; everybody fears of that deathly tragedy. But, the reality was people came to my city and decided to live here. And now in 2024, my town Banda Aceh has become one of the busiest city in Indonesia.
I would not compare Banda Aceh to Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia; all that I want to say is my town has grown up so quickly after that big disaster called Tsunami. People in some any other territories come and start to live here; it makes Banda Aceh becomes a little bit annoyed of vehicles sound.
One of the most crowded place in Banda Aceh is Darussalam, around Aceh Besar regency. Darussalam itself is known as the education place due to here stands two big universities; Syiah Kuala University as well as UIN Ar-Raniry. And because of those two colleges, exist, this subdistrict zone is well known also as college students area.
The presence of college students in Darussalam makes that place to be one of the busiest spot in Banda Aceh urban area. In every Monday up to Saturday, the roads are full of cars and motorbikes. Not only that, this place also has many coffee shops, culinary spots, stores, etc. Some of those places have lead Darussalam as one of the most living area in my town.
It starts from 7.00 A.M, the vehicles have already make a noisy sound. The situation may become a bit calm during 9.30-10 A.M, yet it will turn to be busy again at 12–14 P.M. And at 17–19 P.M, ot is usually occur a traffic jam.
I almost cannot hear how the bird singing in the early morning or just enjoying the sunset view in front of my house. It is just impossible to enjoy a calmy moment during work time — you cannot feel the tranquil feeling at that moments.
However, the situation is really turning 100 percent changed when Ied day comes. That every morning the only sound to say hello is the sound of cars and motorbikes; but during Ied day, Darussalam becomes so quiet. This happen due to the college students are coming back to their village, and it makes the subdistrict feels so lonely.
The crowded roads turn to be empty; but not so really empty as you imagine. What I mean is I am able to hear the sound of birds in the morning; my ears can feel how the wind blows slowly; and no more I hear the noisy comes from cars and motorbikes. The situation becomes so quiet.
I am a person who likes the tranquil feeling; I am into quietness since it can lead me to be calm mentally and phisically. I love feeling the loneliness due to it can make me a bit better to fulfill my daily activity.
I am a guy that loves to write, and in the calmness situation, I feel I can write quietly and enjoy every word that I pour on any writing platforms. How I am into this tranquil moment a lot.
That when I ride to somewhere, I can ride slowly while seeing the sunset sky above. That when I walk, I can feel the nature; it is like entering to my soul.
It is a rare moment that may occur twice in a year; during Eid Fitri and Eid Adha. And because of it is too seldom happen, so I have to make sure that I must enjoy this limited time well. I have to take some things to reset my own before going bact at work. It still has some days to go before the busy time is coming back — I just won’t to abandon this short moment.
Well… living in the lonely place is not that bad. Walking alone on the lonely roads may be is a good time to reset my feeling to be better. So, when I go back to the offiice, I am much ready to face any obstacles in the front.
I need some times to reset my own; and one of the ways that I do is to take my time in this lonely place — this lonely subdistrict— in this lonely city.
